The mood was casual, allowing for free-flowing conversation, ranging from the topics of public safety, to the addition of new replacement firetrucks, to the inordinate amount of fires that have raged across California lately.

“I’m much better at going out, talking to people, and listening to them, than I am at receiving and reading emails,” said Councilmember Bob Nuñez. “I like to see their faces and expressions.”

This gathering was among the first of many that Vice Mayor Grilli and Councilmember Nuñez plan to host in the coming weeks. Reaching out to various service groups and associations, and inviting them to sit in assorted settings all across Milpitas, Grilli and Nuñez hope to provide people with the opportunity to express their concerns, share their ideas, and ask their most burning questions.

“I think one of the things that the Vice Mayor started last year was the whole budget process that actually had us go out to the community and to employee groups for their input on how we’re going to spend our money. We’ve adopted that process and used it. This is an extension of that,” added Nuñez, who has thrown his hat into the ring in the Milpitas Mayoral race, going up against incumbent Mayor Rich Tran and former Mayor Jose Esteves.

Grilli’s also running as an incumbent, in the hopes of holding onto her City Council seat. For her, these events are a staple of her community engagement process:

“You get a better opportunity if you go to them. And give them the opportunity to sit down and talk to you in a relaxed environment,” said Vice Mayor Grilli. “It makes a big difference. We put this together because it’s an opportunity for us to talk to the people we represent. And to listen to them rather than them having to listen to us.”

Just a few days before this casual coffee gathering, Captain Reggie Sutton, who has been with the Milpitas Fire Department for the past 30-and-a-half years, was part of a strike team sent out to fight the fire in Mendocino. He had been away for 14 days straight, and just returned home a few days prior. He spoke of having to work nonstop, sometimes for 24 hours at a stretch:

“You could be on the hillside for 24 hours. If you get a chance to sleep, good; but most times you don’t. If you do, you’re sleeping on the ground, or the engine, or in your seat, trying to get comfortable,” said Captain Sutton. “We had to do fire watch out there…sometimes at 3 or 4 in the morning, driving down country roads. And even if we weren’t actively fighting the fire at night, we’d have to stay awake, especially when the fire’s at its worst. There are embers and hot spots. We’d be up practically the whole night. We’d take a rest period, dinner, or lunch break, but were working non-stop for the most part.”

But despite what he’d just gone through, and the fact that he’d actually hit a much-needed day off, Sutton made the two-hour drive from his Elk Grove home to attend the gathering.

“We try to be proactive in the community. The forum gives us an opportunity to answer questions from the community and to give our side of things,” said Sutton. “We want to be upfront, honest, and truthful. To keep the line of communication open.”

After a couple hours of conversation, as the circle started breaking apart and parting handshakes started being traded, Councilmember Nuñez said, “They gave us good input. That was amazing how many of the firefighters came, and brought their families. They brought their families to talk about what happens in their home city. For me, that was important. And I think it was a good start for us.”

With their guests all gone, Nuñez and Grilli stuck around for awhile. Behind them, on the other side of the steel fence lining the Starbucks porch, Milpitas traffic whizzed by in blurs, taking on various speeds and volumes. These are the ones whose votes they seek — whose stamp of approval they need to continue serving.

Just the same, campaign or no campaign, Bob Nuñez always seeks a connection with his community. “We’ve talked about doing this even if it’s not an election year,” he mentioned.

The pair’s next gathering will take place on September 5, at 6:30PM, at Taqueria Las Vegas at 1417 N. Milpitas Blvd. The public is invited to attend.

Rhoda Shapiro works as a journalist and media consultant in the Bay Area. She has written for both the Tri-City Voice and the Mercury News, and is the founder of Chi Media Company, which works with nonprofit organizations to elevate their marketing and communication platforms. Rhoda is also an author; her first book will be published by Llewellyn Worldwide in mid-2019. Her YouTube channel, which features practices in yoga, meditation, and women’s empowerment, has amassed thousands of subscribers. Rhoda is The Milpitas Beat’s founder.

Celebrate those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for the cause of freedom at this moving event with the Presentation of Colors by the Knights of Columbus, 21-Gun Salute and the Remembrance Chair. Event will be held rain or shine.

In this in-depth look into visual storytelling, you’ll learn how video can benefit your nonprofit both internally and externally. Find out how videos can be used to engage donors and volunteers and help recruit passionate staff and board members.May 28 – 1:00pm-4:00pm

On Monday, June 3,TheMilpitas Rotary Club will present their lunch program (Noon to 1:30 PM) at Dave & Buster’s featuring our Speaker Cal Fire Deputy Chief Nick Ciardella who will discuss the impact of the 2018 Northern California Wild Fires.

Product Academia has launched the “R.I.S.E (Restart.Inspire.Support.Excel) program. Join us for a free seminar on “Career Restart – Where and How? We have an exciting speaker line-up, who will let you know about the courses, training programs, networking events, job postings, hiring events and answer the most critical and pressing questions.

06/07/2019, 7pm-9pm: Members’ only preview for the FOML Book Sale. Memberships ($5.00) will be available at the door. You must be present to hold a place in line. Books are sold by the inch. Come earlyand get the best choice of our books and media offerings. In our Auditorium.

06/08/2019, 10am-4pm: Come to our Auditorium and find just what you need for your home library. Adult and children’s materials, books, CDs and DVDs. Fiction, Non-fiction, Mysteries, Cookbooks, Biographies, Romances . . . PLENTY of great material. Books are sold by the inch. Everyone is welcome to share in the great big Book Sale!

06/09/2019, 10am-4pm: This is the day to come to our Auditorium for the best bargains to be had at the BOOK SALE! Fill a bag with books for only $5. Media is 1/2 price. Bring the family and have fun stuffing your bags. You don’t want to miss this! Everyone is welcome.

On Monday, June 10,TheMilpitas Rotary Club will present their lunch program (Noon to 1:30 PM) at Dave & Buster’s featuring our Speaker – The founder of local newspaper The Milpitas Beat, Rhoda Shapiro,who will be speaking about The Future of Local Journalism and how to work together to cultivate a stronger, more engaged community.